Iii

over native-speaking users of English. Secondly, the numerical preponderance of non-native speakers means that it is their communication which is increasing more rapidly and thus dominating the development and evolution of English. Thirdly, it is therefore becoming inescapably necessary for native speakers to accept unfamiliarities in the effective use of English. Fourthly, acceptance of these unfamiliarities will be easier if there is a basis for understanding them.